In many great stories the protagonist (the hero) needs help. He needs a trainer, a guide, a wise sage to help him along in his quest. In Harry Potter that position is filled by Dumbledore who explains to Harry who he is in comparison to the world of Hogwarts and the struggle with the evil Voldemort. Many stories in Greek mythology contain a character who teaches the hero how to fight and shows him how to defeat the enemy.

In Fahrenheit 451, Professor Faber acts as that wise guide for Montag. Montag needs to understand how everything got to be so crazy in the world. He needed guidance on where to go and what to do. Faber became this guide which eventually led to Montag's escape and his new purpose of carrying on knowledge that had long been forgotten.